Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-08
THEE HERMIT NATION.
Hr. JOuy Tells the Biological Society
Something About Corea.

A long sheet of paper on which was painted in
bright coiors picture OF young woman attired
In blue robe was unrolled and hung UP on the
wall OF the room at the National Museum where
the Biological society met Saturday night This
Was Corean work OF art-a painting OF a
young lady by Corean Meissonier The
painting, like works OF Chinese artists
was entirely free CT any attempts at per-
spective effects, and stood out in the bold
way OF colored pictures in comic valentines Or
little decalcomania pictures that had their day
some years ago. 4 map OF COrea made by japanese
mapmakers was also suspended in view. These
were used to illustrate talk on .'Corea the Coun-
Try and the People" by Mr.. p. L. Jouy, who has
Just returned from several years soJourn in
Sofea as member OF the American legation
While there he pursued his researches as natural
isI anu ut The same time studied the social condi-
non OF tne people The Coreans, seeking isolation
ne salu leave waste and uninhabited the lands
aaJacent TO the sea- The appearance OF the country
uds.ilCIS is barren and unnhabited. The eight or
zen nitilons OF people who inhabit the land are
1 Dg together mainly In villages and towns
nei[ modes or agriculture are exceedingly print
i've IN one days journey he passed through at least
Ing about tS b mani ns or rs, SO eac "a she
realm Is transacted at Seoul, the capital In other
pIaces weekly or semi-weekly fairs are held where
lne natives assemble and exchange or barter their
produce. In one long journey from the capital,
ME-. Jouy Said. he was unable to buy anything as
curios except an Old candlestick. There were no
are quit upon Easements OF granite or other stone
anu tlie structures are made strong and enduring
10 support The heavy tiled roofs. The house in
Whicn the American legation was located was l25
years Oh anu still in good state OF preservation
me sleeping rooms are heated in the Chinese
iaShl0n by means OF fiueS underneath the floors
MI. Jouy exhibited a string OF cash or Corean
money, copper pieces, with holes in them. He had
aOouI TWO pounds OF them upon the string, and
sald they We're worth at the current rates OF
exchange about one-thtrd OF a dollar. One OF the
curlos1tles shown by Mr.. JOuy that interested his
hearers most was Corean pillow. This was an
0Dlong block or box about four inches one way and
nVe Inches the other. The COrean when he seeks
rest places this on the floor then stretches him-
sell OUT SO that the nape of his neck is supported
Dy THIS block. In this attitude he soon finds Slum-
per ana pleasant dreams Mr.. Jouy said that this
pillow mad Its advantages to race OF people who
wore elaborate head dresses. He showed also a
charcoal bral1er used in Corean houses to
keep light for pipes and to give
warmth for the hands. Corean cooking
utensils. chopStickS and knives, and large cOllec
ton or photographs. The picture OF the young
GIRL he said, was made by the first artist OF Seoul
an Old man OF eighty years, whose pictures could
not be bought at any price, he painted exclusive
ly for the king, This picture represented young
awkward manner, from an American point Of view.
rms stiffness was due. Mr.. Jouy said, to the eXceS
slVe use OF starch. She wore 4 robe Of blue cloth
with long train, but the train was gathered up
about her and held over her arms in front OF her.